Tag: Frontline Synergy

Fitness Fiscal Forecast

Fitness Fiscal Forecast

By Liz Sanner Davis, Certified Personal Trainer

 

Fit to LeadYour workout program for 2017 may resemble the weather history of the Galaxy 7 cell phone – unhealthy here today and, Poof! dead tomorrow. January is already pushing against the heart-happy, founding father’s birth month and this question quickly comes to mind. How many of you healthcare leaders out there started a January fitness program with your staff or for them, and how many of you are already sleeping in or sleeping it off? Fair questions. It’s easy to set up a contest, challenge the plebes, appoint a progress reporter and offer a prize, feign support and then go on about your busy business of leading. After all, your top-dog position entitles you to a few things like covered parking, private office, dinner meetings, football tickets; doesn’t that level of privilege also mean you and your health are your business? Shouldn’t you get to skip out on your own workout if you worked 14 hours yesterday? Isn’t it okay- heck, wasn’t it expected – that you drink two gin-t’s at the First Friday Leader’s Conference Kick-off dinner and catch some z’s while your dedicated team walked four miles without you in 35 degrees the next morning?

 

Nope, not okay. In fact, a worthy leader has a deep and well-maintained level of integrity or s/he should not have been selected for leadership.

 

It’s your job to lead by example. You can fake it or put your heart into it, your choice, but it’s still your job. Especially in healthcare, you have an accepted responsibility to your co-workers to be fit and healthy, to appear energetic and ready to rock ‘n roll every single day. And if you don’t see it that way, move over Rover and let someone with equal leadership skills but superior wellness ethics take your place.

 

Most health care teams would rather have a leader with crooked teeth who plays straight than a boss with straight teeth who plays crooked. If you implemented a wellness program for your staff, review and revamp it. Be an honest, straight forward leader and join your team on the walking path to wellness. Follow up and follow through in the same manner that you approach all team goals. Your fiscal fitness forecast should read: Sunny and healthy today, sunny and here tomorrow.

 

Liz Sanner Davis is a certified personal trainer, writer and regular contributor to Frontline Synergy. She is married to Tom S Davis, author, healthcare leadership and team developer, speaker and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

It’s All About You

It’s All About You: Keeping Resolutions

By Thomas Davis, CRNA

 

 

For many of us, starting the New Year is an opportunity to hit the reset button and change things that are not working well. When you look back this year, do you see a list of good intentions that were never accomplished? Do you know why?  Here is some solid advice for making New Year’s Resolutions that you can keep.

 

It’s All About You. Simply making a list of good intentions, does not solve a problem. To be effective, your resolutions must represent you and your resources. If you cannot reasonably achieve them, you are wasting your time and your commitment will only lead to frustration without results. When resolving to make change, consider the following:

  • Resolutions must be doable. By definition, a New Year’s resolution begins January 1. Be sure that a goal is within your grasp and that all the resources are available so you can start now.
  • The resolution must be within your control. You will not lose weight by asking others to give up cake for dessert. Likewise, resolving to help a child achieve straight A’s second semester is also a lofty goal, but you can’t control the final outcome. However, resolving to lose 5 pounds and to read 6 news books this year are goals that are totally under your control…as long as you are the one giving up the cake.
  • NYR’s must be specific and measurable. A resolution described in general terms leaves you with vague intent rather than firm commitment. “Ing” intentions like losing weight, exercising more, smoking less, or being happier are undefined with no end point. In contrast, “I commit to losing 10 pounds by exercising 30 min 3x a week,” or “I will stop smoking completely by April 1,” are both specific and can be measured. With an appropriate and measureable resolution, you will be able to answer yes/no as to whether or not the resolution was kept.

 

  • Accountability enhances success.   Accountability can provide an incentive to actually make the change that you want. You can avoid the easy anchor of status quo and create accountability by attaching a timeline to your resolution. Ensure that your resolution is doable, under your control and measurable, and give yourself a deadline. After setting a goal of losing 10 pounds, resolve that you will lose 1 pound per week for the next 10 weeks so that by a certain date you will weigh ten pounds less. Important: Put your timeline on your calendar.

 

  • Share your intent with others. Telling others about your resolution is another means of accountability that puts you in a position to reach the goal and get praised, or to fail and look foolish. It’s even more helpful if a friend with a similar resolution joins you and holds you both accountable. If you mutually establish 3 workouts per week as your resolution, arrange to exercise or walk together several times a week.

 

  • Seek support on social media. Social media is another venue for getting accountability. Publicly sharing your goal and your progress takes courage and invites a large and connected community to cheer you on. Nobody wants to fail while their 400 best friends are watching, and by revealing your resolution, you may also generate support from your true friends.

 

New Year’s Resolutions mark the passage of time and open the door to opportunity. Create your list with confidence and use positive language by stating your goals like affirmations. Begin each item with the words “I WILL” and mean it, and if you lapse, don’t abandon your resolve. Double down and get back on track. Realistic New Year’s resolutions, combined with commitment and accountability, will ensure success.

Thomas Davis is an experienced clinical anesthetist, leader, speaker and CEO of Frontline Synergy.  Enhancing leaders, Empowering teams